'Concern' as M5 junction closes for almost four months
Traders are "concerned" and one taxi firm is considering closing during the works.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s the most recent snapshot I can provide based on current publicly available updates.
Direct answer
- There are ongoing delays on the M5 between junctions 30 and 31 due to incidents and roadworks, with typical delays ranging from 20 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day and specific incident. Traffic crews and National Highways have been managing lane closures and recovery operations in the area.
Details and context
- A recent incident near junction 31 caused a spill and recovery work that temporarily closed or restricted lanes, leading to several miles of queueing and extended delays on the approach to Exeter. Delays were reported as about an hour at peak earlier in the incident, even after some lanes reopened [source reporting on oil spill and traffic backlog near J31].[1]
- Separate advisories in the broader region indicate that the M5 can experience significant disruption during planned roadworks, with warnings of severe delays at times when works are active between J30 and J31 or when there are incidents in the vicinity.[2][4]
- Ongoing incidents (including crashes) have caused further slowdowns and warnings of substantial delays, with typical advisories noting several miles of congestion on the approach and time losses that can vary by hour.[3]
What you can do now
- Check live traffic feeds as you plan or adjust routes: National Highways traffic cameras and live updates, or reputable local traffic outlets, will reflect current conditions and any lane closures in real time.
- If you’re traveling through this corridor today, allow extra time and consider alternative routes or timings to avoid peak congestion periods.
- For precise, up-to-the-minute status, I can look up current live feeds and summarize the latest posted advisories, including any overnight works and expected reopening times.
Would you like me to pull the very latest live status for the M5 between J30 and J31 and provide a concise, up-to-date advisory for your departure window? If you share your planned departure time and route, I can tailor the guidance and suggest possible alternatives.